8738 Buying Furniture in Calabria

[QUOTE=Jenroy;82010]I have started a new thread, rather than continue the existing thread, as all of the outlets mentioned previously seem to be specific to the North and as you know the South is like another country:winki:

We are in the process of completing on a villa in Calabria and will need to completely furnish it. Having tried the complete furniture pack route on the Internet with disastrous results we are left with either buying in the UK and shipping it all out or purchasing locally.

Being Calabria it seems that there is not a great deal of choice and, as one of those choices would be to use Ikea in Naples does not appeal, our choices are limited even further.

I would like some advice on how practical it would be to purchase in the UK and send/take the whole consignment or has anyone experienced buying locally in the area.

Any recommendations would be gratefully received.

IF you can't find anything you like in Catanzaro or Cosenza then you'd be adsvised to get it from Naples or Roma...i once had a calabrian client who was telling me how he got all his furniture from Roma.But take a look in either or both those cities anyway you might be suprised what you can find there.
otherwise it's down to bringing it from outside.

you make it sound like Calabria may be a big barren commerce free zone ... II'm sure it's not, the calabrians also have to buy their furniture somewhere!

assuming the house is yours for your own use rather than for commercial letting, I think you'd be well advised to make do with the bare minimum initially - even if that means a blow up bed, plastic garden furniture and suitcases for wardrobes etc. Just enough to get by for your first few weeks there, and all available for buttons from the local Fa de Te on day one.

then use the breathing space that buys you to tour your area looking for shops ... there are loads of furniture places dotted around, but many rely more on local billboard advertising than internet or whatever, so may not be obvious unless you get out & about. It'll also be good in genral to cruise around, getting your bearings and generally exploring. Reward yourself with tarta & caffee every 30Km's, and a gelato for each furniture emporium you find.

Also, ask your new neighbours, your agent, your geometra or the bloke who runs the local bar. Quizz'em mercilessly. Doesn't matter how basic your Italian is - you'll have fun trying and it will break the ice. Some of our best friends in the village are those we harassed for all manner of help (in our pidgeon Italian) when we first arrived.

If neccessary, learn - or write down - in advance a couple of simple sentences like "I need to find a furniture shop within of here, but I can't speak italian. Here's a map, can you write some names and locations on on it for me?". People will want to help. They'll probably go out of their way to find someone who can speak enough English to describe where to go, or even offer to guide your there personally.

Another option is to visit some local agritourismi/hotels and check out the furniture in their reception area ... if you see some stuff you like, ask them where they got it. No guarantees, but it may be local. you'll be able to check out their restaurant at the same time, so more opportunities to eat while you shop!!

Bottom line - people in the UK rave about italian design, and often pay through the nose to buy it - so it's "out there". You've got a head start ... definitely have a good look locally before giving in to the temptation to order & import from UK ... that may seem like a simple option now but it carries its own potential set of headaches delivery wise ...

good luck either way, but if circumstances permit, I think exploration wins over importation on every level.

Good advice, as ever.

Jenroy and Sebastiano
Can I suggest that when you've done this vital and enjoyable research, you report back here.

Jenroy, there is the usual [url=http://www.mondoconv.it/]Mondo Convenienza | Arredamento e Mobili per la tua casa[/url] and although the furthest south branch seems to be Latina, you can order online. This one too I have just found in my bookmarks and again you can order online. [url=http://www.facciaarredamenti.it]Arredamento di interni[/url]

(Definitely not IKEA - yet!!!)

[IMG]http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z294/sallydonaldson/ALESSANDRA.jpg[/IMG]

I apologise you cannot buy online from Facciaarredament and the company is based in Pescara.

Hi,

Thanks to everyone who gave information about hopping for furniture etc in Calabria. I'm going over to italy on 11th April to an apartment with nothing in it :). I'll be bringing a lilo, sleeping bag, kettle, cup and teabags lol. I hope I can get some furniture eg bed, sofa and a cooker asap as I will only be there for 5 days. Does anyone know if this is possible or not.

Has anyone on in this forum bought an apartment near Lamezia Terme????.

Wish me luck

Joan

Hi
We are in Calabria at the moment and there are furniture stores everywhere, from small local ones to quite large outlets. In Basilicata, just a little bit north, there is an area known as 'sofa valley' and a company called Natuzzi produces sofas there. They are, in fact, one of the biggest furniture producers in Italy and I believe their headquarters is somewhere near Bari. They have quite a few outlets in Basilicata and Puglia so not too far from you.

Don't panic, whatever you have heard, you can get everything you need in Calabria.

[quote=iwanttobeinitaly;84036]Like Mickey O I get very defensive about Calabria and its portrayal of the land that time forgot.
There are loads of independent furniture stores but if you are looking for a chain further South there is:
[URL="http://www.persemprearredamenti.it/"]perSempre Arredamenti[/URL]
They have a branch near Lamezia.

And also Chateau D'Ax
[URL="http://www.chateaudax.it/"]Divani Chateau d'Ax casa[/URL]
They have the following stores and a factory outlet:

REGGIO and Provincia
Reggio Calabria
Via S.Caterina, 27
Tel. 0965-655445
e-mail reggio calabria

CATANZARO e Provincia
Catanzaro Lido
V.le Magna Grecia, 256

Tel. 0961-780399
e-mail catanzaro

LAMEZIA TERME e Provincia

Lamezia Terme
Via del Progresso
Tel. 0968-457926
e-mail lamezia terme

COSENZA e Provincia
Corigliano Scalo
Via Caccia di Placido, S.S. 106
Tel. 0983-878810
e-mail corigliano

Amantea campora S. Giovanni
S.S. 18 Km.349
Tel. 0982-46016
e-mail amantea

Rende
Via Verdi Palazzo Pantaco
Tel. 0984-404165
e-mail rende

FACTORY OUTLET
Castrolibero
Via Mattia preti 16
Tel. 0984 854152
e-mail castrolibero
CROTONE e Provincia
Crotone
Via Cutro, 473
Tel. 0962-966017
e-mail crotone

VIBO VALENTIA
e Provincia
Vena di Ionadi
S.S.18 n.15
Tel. 0963-260559
e-mail vena di ionadi

HTH Lesley[/quote]
Hi Lesle,
Can you tell me if per Sempre and divani Arredmenti deliver assembled goods, or are they all flat packs.

I'm not too handy with screwdrivers etc. lol :laughs:

Thanks for all great info.

Joan

Paulina, is this the company - [url=http://www.divaniedivani.it/???]Divani & Divani by Natuzzi[/url] or [url=http://www.natuzzi.com/]Natuzzi It's how you live[/url] If so I love it!!! Strikes me though they could be expensive.

Joan,
I haven't personally bought anything from those shops but delivery and assembly was an option for us when we bought a bedroom suite locally (which we accepted as we had little time and the wardrobes seemed so tall and wide we didn't feel terribly confident) so it might be worth asking.
I think even Ikea offer assembly in Italy (there doesn't really seem to be a great DIY culture here).
I love building flat-pack furniture so we have subsequently built more beds, wardrobes, drawers and other units - but maybe I'm just odd!
Regards, Lesley

We have just kitted out our new holiday home in Calabria, with the majority of pieces being bought locally. Try going into the local shops and ask if they have any catalogues. We found a shop in Marina Gioiosa Ionica called 'Still Mobili'. We almost turned round and walked out again because the choice looked very poor, but someone was looking at a collection of catalogues. When we looked through them we found a wide range of to choose from, in all price brackets. The owner was very happy to order for a date in the future which coincided with our next visit. :smile: Very Happy:smile:

Bye the way, we were able to get a good quality kitchen, 3m long, with double sink, fridge, freezer, oven, hob, and hood + fitting for 1800 euro. Went along to Homebase back in the UK one week later and found a comparable kitchen for £2000 - [U]Without any white goods - and another £2000 to fit[/U].

Dave

Dear All,

Accept my apologies for being somewhat sensitive and defensive of Calabria but if you wipe the sleep from your eyes, everything is available!

I fly to Lamezia on Monday for 5 nights, solely with the reason of purchasing some bedroom furniture and budgeting for two kitchens for my two purpose built brand New Villas in Calabria - 90% finished.

Why not try the link below.

[url=http://www.emmezeta.org/stores.php]EMMEZETA : arredamento, elettrodomestici, brico e tempo libero, audio video, informatica, moda[/url]

This is a National Company with around 11 huge stores within the Italian Mainland and Isles and one is based in Calabria!!!
Not bad for the backward Deep South ehh?

i.e. Montalto Uffugo - Just off the A3/E45 Motorway exit - unless you are Stevie Wonder, you can't miss it! If you're travelling from Reggio to Salerno (North) it is on your Left - vice versa (South) it is on your right.

I have personally visited this store on numerous occasions over the last 2/3 years to purchase a selection of items including perfume, table lamps, Screws and Nails and wheelbarrow!

It is huge. They sell all type's of furniture from Classical (Reproduction) to Contemporary (Modern). They sell furniture for every room in the house, and i mean every room, with the prices seeming very reasonable.

I can not comment on delivery charges, stock availability etc for furniture but no doubt will do so over the next few weeks.

They also sell a huge variety of other goods, including:

Domestic Electrical Goods - From Fridge Freezers to Hoovers
Audio Visual Electrical Goods - TV's to Mp3 Players
Household Goods - Carpets, Curtains, Cutlery, Glassware, Plates etc etc etc
Clothing - Male, Female, Childrens

...including numerous other items - too many to mention.

My best description would be a hybrid of a Department Store that meets Ikea that meets Wilkinsons.

The air-conditioned store is open all day (no siesta) from 9.00 to 20.30 most days... even on a Sunday (please check specific times on website). It has free parking and is on a huge site equiavalent to a UK "Out of Town" retail park.

On the same retail park you will find other Outlets including a Supermarket, fast food restaurants, Garden Centre and Occasional outside flea Market.

I have no affilitiation with the company and this is by no means a sales pitch but i would be interested in anyone's feedback not only on this company but any others that surely DO exist in the region.

No offence intented or implied.

Mickey "O"

This Months Sales Catalogue:

[url]http://www.emmezeta.org/catalogues/sf05mz/05mz.pdf[/url]

... which does not show half of what they sell.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

Like Mickey O I get very defensive about Calabria and its portrayal of the land that time forgot.
There are loads of independent furniture stores but if you are looking for a chain further South there is:
[url=http://www.persemprearredamenti.it/]perSempre Arredamenti[/url]
They have a branch near Lamezia.

And also Chateau D'Ax
[url=http://www.chateaudax.it/]Divani Chateau d'Ax casa[/url]
They have the following stores and a factory outlet:

REGGIO and Provincia
Reggio Calabria
Via S.Caterina, 27
Tel. 0965-655445
e-mail reggio calabria

CATANZARO e Provincia
Catanzaro Lido
V.le Magna Grecia, 256

Tel. 0961-780399
e-mail catanzaro

LAMEZIA TERME e Provincia

Lamezia Terme
Via del Progresso
Tel. 0968-457926
e-mail lamezia terme

COSENZA e Provincia
Corigliano Scalo
Via Caccia di Placido, S.S. 106
Tel. 0983-878810
e-mail corigliano

Amantea campora S. Giovanni
S.S. 18 Km.349
Tel. 0982-46016
e-mail amantea

Rende
Via Verdi Palazzo Pantaco
Tel. 0984-404165
e-mail rende

FACTORY OUTLET
Castrolibero
Via Mattia preti 16
Tel. 0984 854152
e-mail castrolibero
CROTONE e Provincia
Crotone
Via Cutro, 473
Tel. 0962-966017
e-mail crotone

VIBO VALENTIA
e Provincia
Vena di Ionadi
S.S.18 n.15
Tel. 0963-260559
e-mail vena di ionadi

HTH Lesley

And for anyone in my neck of the woods there is the furniture factory at Grisolia.
Here's a link: [url=http://www.benvenutomobili.it/index.html]Benvenuto Mobili[/url]

This has a huge shrowroom over about 4 floors and is worth a visit because of the diverse range of stuff you can see (good for getting ideas too).
The staff are very friendly but they do that MFI thing of quoting prices then slicing 40% off to make you feel like you are getting a bargain so it would be worth doing some research re prices before you go.

They will come out and measure up the kitchen etc and also deliver and install (depending where you are of course.

And the larger Spar premises have furniture departments called Centregrosse and white goods departments called Euronics.

Lesley

A great range of options,but i am wondering about logistics.If you are visiting your holiday home for around a week,is it possible to buy from these shops and have the items delivered within that time frame.I know this is rarely possible in the u.k unless you buy from a small local store.The likes of Ikea,Heals etc will usually make you wait a few weeks and then ring to arrange a delivery date.Could be a problem if you are in the U.K with the furniture in Italy and nobody nearby to await the delivery.

[quote=Joan;86437]
Has anyone on in this forum bought an apartment near Lamezia Terme????.
Wish me luck

Joan[/quote]

Hi,
We have bought in Amantea which isn't that far from Lamezia, I haggled with the developer for a fitted kitchen as it wasn't included in the standard purchase price:winki:
We will have the same issue when we go out to furnish our apartment! I am hoping to send some furniture over from the UK so we have some large items already taken care of, bed, sofa dining table etc.. but I suppose it will boil down to wandering round the stores with my phase book:reallyembarrassed:. Some of those links provided will help no end though, so thanks.

Andy:smile:

My Findings whilst In Calabria...

I did actually buy the majority of the furniture i intended too whilst away for the week with the exception of the Wardrobes, no doubt as you will discover as i did, Wardrobes here seem to be anything from 4 to 6 Doors Long which is not what i'm after.
Looking for a solid wooden 2 door wardrobe, when this is not the norm, is somewhat difficult unless you are after MDF - which i am not.

The remainder of the furniture i bought included:
1 x Solid Wood Double Bed with mattress and Frame Support
2 x Wood/Metal Single Bed's with Frame Supports and Mattresses
3 x Wooden Bedside Cabinets
1 x Wooden 5 Drawer Chest
1 x Large Wooden Mirror

Conclusion

1) I actualy purchased the items from two Out of Town Retail Parks
a) La Torre - Which can be found Leaving the Reggio to Salerno A3 Motorway at the TARSIA NORD Exit. Don't know the Stradale Superiore Road Number, but looking at the Map just head East and keep going straight, you really can't go wrong here's the link [url=http://www.cclatorre.it/negozi.php]Centro Commerciale La Torre Contrada del Fullone San Marco Argentano Shopping Center della Calabria[/url]
b) Emmezeta - Which can be found Leaving the Reggio to Salerno A3 Motorway at the Rose-Montalto Uffugo Exit. Don't know the Stradale Superiore Road Number, but looking at the Map just head East and keep going straight, you really can't go wrong here's the link [url=http://www.emmezeta.org/stores.php?s_id=28]EMMEZETA : arredamento, elettrodomestici, brico e tempo libero, audio video, informatica, moda[/url]
2) In both cases, the solid wooden furniture i bought, seemed more expensive than back here in the UK.
3) None of the items were available immediately... "...This is not England!" I paid 20% of the purchase price up-front with the rest to be paid before/on delivery.
4) Delivery and Assembly of the Furniture in your own home is an additional cost. I expected a Delivery Fee but Assembly came as a pleasant surprise - can't see that happening with IKEA?
5a) Delivery and assembly Costs for:
1 x Solid Wood Double Bed with mattress and Frame Support
3 x Wooden Bedside Cabinets
1 x Wooden 5 Drawer Chest
1 x Large Wooden Mirror... came to €122, roughly £95, from Emmezeta
5a) Delivery and assembly Costs for:
2 x Wood/Metal Single Bed's with Frame Supports and Mattresses... came to €45, roughly £35, from La Torre
6) All Items will be delivered in the next 3 to 4 weeks wherby I will have a relative who will settle the costs and allow the delivery/assembly guys access to the two properties.

Very Interesting experience.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'

[quote=2nd Generation Calabrian;84028]This Months Sales Catalogue:

[url]http://www.emmezeta.org/catalogues/sf05mz/05mz.pdf[/url]

... which does not show half of what they sell.

Regards,

Mickey 'O'[/quote]
Many thanks for the info on furniture in Calabria.Here in Sant Andrea there are only small expensive shops which is really strange as there are no english people or other foreigners who can afford these prices!! Obviously the local italians have to buy somewhere!!! Its just a matter of finding it!! We are going out to our "shack" on 31st March & will visit this store you have kindly mentioned.Thanks.Cilla10.

Hi Andy,
Good stuff getting the kitchen. I never thought of that ;0
Joan

Try this - [url=http://www.paginegialle.it/pg/cgi/pgsearch.cgi?btt=1&ts=1&l=1&cb=0&ind=&nc=&xpix=1000&ypix=400&qs=arredamenti&dv=Calabria&x=0&y=0]Hai cercato Arredamenti nella regione Calabria | PagineGialle.it[/url]